Your guide to money transfers from Canada to Japan with Remitly

Transfers to Japan from Canada using Remitly are handled entirely online, with options designed for speed and a straightforward setup. First-time users may see promotional pricing that reduces the cost of an initial transfer. Over time, though, standard exchange rates apply, and built-in markups can influence how much your recipient receives.

As an alternative, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and shows fees upfront, which can make regular CAD to JPY transfers easier to compare and manage.

What does Remitly offer for transfers from Canada to Japan?

Remitly lets resedents in Canada send money to Japan fully online, offering flexible delivery options for recipients who want funds sent directly to a Japanese bank account or collected as cash. Transfers can be arranged online or in the Remitly app, with payouts handled through a network of established Japanese banks and local partners.

When sending money from Canada to Japan, Remitly offers¹:

• Delivery options in Japan: Choose between bank deposit or cash pickup, depending on how your recipient prefers to receive the money.
• Local banking and pickup partners: Remitly works with recognised institutions and networks in Japan, including MUFG Bank, Japan Post Bank, Mizuho Bank, Kyodai Remittance, and more.
• Flexible ways to pay from Canada: Transfers can be funded using bank accounts, debit or credit cards, or Interac e-Transfer.
• Transfer tracking and delivery guarantees: You can follow your transfer at every stage in the app or online, with delivery times confirmed upfront.

New customers may qualify for a special rate and zero transfer fees on their first send, usually limited to a maximum amount. After that initial transfer, returning customers continue using the same delivery methods, but transfers are priced using Remitly's standard exchange rates and fees. The next section explains how those exchange rates and costs work in more detail.

Understanding Remitly's exchange rates and fees

When sending money from Canada to Japan with Remitly, you'll see both the exchange rate and any transfer fees before confirming the transfer. While this makes the total cost clear upfront, pricing can still vary between transfers. Exchange rates may change, promotional pricing can apply only to part of a transfer, and fees depend on the delivery method selected, so it's worth reviewing the details each time you send.

New customers vs returning customers

New customers may qualify for introductory pricing on their first transfer, such as a promotional exchange rate, a discounted transfer fee, or both². These offers apply automatically when available but are usually capped at a set send amount. Any portion above that limit is converted using Remitly's standard pricing.

After the first transfer, returning customers use the same delivery options, but transfers are priced using Remitly's standard exchange rates and fees. These rates include a markup compared to the mid-market rate and can vary based on the transfer amount and delivery method. The rate applied is always shown before you confirm.

Fees to expect

Transfers to Japan typically include a fixed transfer fee, though this may be discounted or waived for eligible new customers. Remitly does not charge recipients to receive funds, and all fees are displayed clearly during the transfer setup. If you pay by credit card, your card issuer may apply additional charges outside of Remitly.

Example: sending 1,000 CAD from Canada to Japan¹

• A promotional exchange rate of 1 CAD = 113.14 JPY applies to the first 500 CAD
• The remaining amount is converted at Remitly's standard rate of 1 CAD = 111.50 JPY
• A 7.99 CAD transfer fee applies, but is fully discounted for eligible new customers
• Based on the rates shown at the time, the recipient receives around 112,320 JPY

Because promotional pricing may only apply to part of a transfer, reviewing the full rate and fee breakdown before sending helps ensure you understand the true cost of your transfer.

How to send money from Canada to Japan using Remitly (step by step)

With Remitly, transfers to Japan are completed online, either through the website or the mobile app. There's no paperwork or branch visit involved, and the person receiving the money in Japan does not need their own Remitly account.

To make a transfer from Canada to Japan:

• Create or access your account: Open the Remitly app on iOS or Android, or sign in at Remitly.com. New users can register quickly using an email address.
• Set up the transfer details: Choose Canada as the sending country and Japan as the destination, then enter the amount you want to send in Canadian dollars.
• Select a delivery method: Decide whether the money should be sent by bank deposit or cash pickup, depending on what works best for your recipient in Japan.
• Enter recipient information: Add your recipient's name and the required bank or pickup details so Remitly knows where to send the funds.
• Review and send: Choose how you want to pay, check the exchange rate, fees, and delivery timing shown on screen, then confirm the transfer.

After confirmation, Remitly begins processing the transfer and sends you a receipt by email.

How to track your Remitly transfer to Japan from Canada

Once your transfer is in progress, Remitly gives you several ways to stay updated on its status.

Check progress in the app
Sign in to the Remitly app and view your active transfers from the main dashboard. Selecting a transfer shows its current stage, expected delivery time, and reference number.

Track transfers online
If you're using Remitly.com, log in and open your transfer history to see which transfers are still processing and which have already been completed.

Status alerts and notifications
Remitly can send updates by email, text message, or in-app notification as your transfer moves forward. These messages include your reference number, which your recipient will need if they're collecting cash in Japan.

Send money at the mid-market rate with Wise

Rather than relying on limited-time promotions, Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate for every CAD to JPY transfer and shows its fees upfront before you send. Transfers are completed online and sent to a recipient's Japanese bank account directly from Wise's local bank account.

Comparing CAD - JPY transfers with Wise and Remitly

New to Remitly? Here's how to set up your account

Before sending money to Japan, you'll need to create a Remitly account. This includes a one-time setup.

• Register online or in the app: Sign up through Remitly.com or the mobile app using your email address. There are no sign-up fees or monthly charges.
• Confirm your identity: Depending on how much you plan to send, Remitly may ask for additional personal details or identification to meet regulatory requirements.
• Add a way to pay: Link a bank account, Interac e-Transfer, or debit or credit card to fund your transfers.

Once your account is ready, you can send money to Japan through the app or website whenever you need to.

Conclusion

Sending money from Canada to Japan with Remitly can suit one-off transfers, cash pickup needs, or situations where an introductory offer reduces the cost of a first send. Delivery options are well established, but pricing can feel less predictable once promotional rates end and standard exchange rates and fees apply.

If you want more consistent pricing or plan to make ongoing transfers, Wise offers an alternative built around the mid-market exchange rate with fees shown upfront on every transfer. The same pricing approach applies each time you send, which can make costs easier to track and compare over time. Reviewing both services before sending helps ensure the option you choose aligns with how often you transfer money and how much certainty you want over the final amount.

Sources verified on 17 April 2026